A tragic incident occurred at an illegal mining site in Kunsu, near Nyame Adom, in the Ahafo Ano South West District of the Ashanti Region.
A security guard protecting the site opened fire on local residents, resulting in one fatality and seven injuries.
The incident took place on Friday morning when locals attempted to access the mining site after Chinese operators had ceased their daily operations.
A confrontation ensued between the security guard and the locals, leading to the shooting.
One of the victims, a 17-year-old, succumbed to their injuries while being treated at the Mankranso Government Hospital.
Two others were referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further medical attention.
Angry residents responded by storming the mining site and setting one of the excavators belonging to the site owners ablaze.
Police have launched an investigation into the shooting incident but have yet to make any arrests. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue.
Felix Nkansah, the Assembly Member for the Nyame Adom Electoral Area, confirmed the incident and expressed his shock and concern. He explained that locals often visit abandoned mining sites to search for gold nuggets and that the security guard’s actions were unjustifiable.
